Latest news with #VWFS
Scotsman
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scotsman
Top tips for a hassle-free bank holiday road trip
Is it the traffic? The last-minute packing frenzy? Or maybe the sinking realisation that your tyres look a little… flat? Whatever it is, bank holiday road trips are meant to be fun—not a chaotic test of stress levels. The good news? A hassle-free road trip is possible. Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS) UK has shared some expert tips to help ensure your bank holiday drive is smooth, safe, and packed with fun. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Start with a pre-trip check-up Your car is about to become your home on wheels for the weekend. Treat it like one. Before you set off, take 10–15 minutes to check the basics. Tyre pressure and tread User (UGC) Submitted Under- or over-inflated tyres can compromise your car's performance and safety. Use a pressure gauge to adjust them according to your manufacturer's recommendations. Also, check the tread depth. Legally, your tyres need at least 1.6mm, but for safety, aim for at least 3mm. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Oil levels Without enough engine oil, even the shortest trips can lead to overheating or breakdowns. Use your car's dipstick to check the oil level and top it up if needed. Lights and wipers Don't forget to test your headlights, brake lights, and indicators, as well as your windscreen wipers and washer fluid. Wet weather (synonymous with a British summer) and poorly lit roads can cause serious issues if these aren't functioning properly. Plan your route and stops Bank holiday weekends tend to bring heavier traffic, so a bit of route pre-planning can spare you some headaches. If your vehicle doesn't have a built-in navigation system, navigation apps like Google Maps, Waze, or Apple Maps can give you real-time traffic updates and recommend alternative routes if you hit unexpected delays. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad If you're in a battery electric vehicle (BEV), knowing where charging stations are along your route is essential. Apps like Zapmap or A Better Route Planner can help you pinpoint charge points ahead of time. Align your charging stops with meal breaks to make the most of your downtime. Longer term, a vehicle service plan can ensure your car is well-maintained and road-trip ready, giving you one less thing to worry about. With fixed costs and expert care, these plans help prevent unexpected issues and expenses, so you can focus on enjoying your bank holiday adventure. Take regular breaks Even the best routes can feel tedious after a few hours behind the wheel. Long stretches of driving lead to fatigue, which poses serious safety risks. Take at least a 15-minute break every two hours of driving. Use the stops to stretch your legs, grab a coffee, or refresh with a quick walk. James Taylor, Head of Product (Non-Asset Based) at Volkswagen Financial Services UK comments: "Preparation is key to enjoying a safe and stress-free road trip. Ensuring your car is well-maintained not only reduces the risk of unexpected issues but also makes the journey smoother and more enjoyable. Regular servicing provides the confidence that your vehicle is ready for the road, allowing you to focus on creating memorable experiences with your loved ones rather than worrying about potential setbacks. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'With long weekends just around the corner, many families are gearing up for their next adventure. Whether you're heading to the seaside, visiting relatives, or exploring the countryside, careful planning can make the difference between a great getaway and a travel nightmare.'
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Huge blow as drivers' go-to retailer with 400 branches to shut site in weeks
Check below to see why so many car dealerships are closing DOWN AND OUT Huge blow as drivers' go-to retailer with 400 branches to shut site in weeks DRIVERS are facing a major blow as a popular retailer with 400 branches is set to close one of its sites in just a few weeks. Halfords confirmed it will pull down the shutters on its Tweedmouth garage for good on June 5. Advertisement 1 Halfords confirmed that its branch in Tweedmouth will shut for good on June 5 Credit: Getty Motorists will now have to drive around 45 minutes to reach their nearest branch in Haddington. Halfords sent their Club Members emails informing them of the closure. "Your McConechys Tweedmouth garage is moving. We're still here for everything you need," they said. The major retailer added: "Our team is ready to welcome you to your local Haddington garage offering the same trusted services and expert care." Advertisement Customers have taken to social media to vent their sadness about the closure. In a Facebook post, this user wrote: "Wow this is where I got my car serviced and MOTed, I must say they've provided excellent service to me in the town, and I am a Halfords Club Member, and Haddington will be a bit too far to travel to for the same trusted service and expert care." "Just had an email to say Halfords are closing, hope all the staff get reemployed soon," another added. While a third commented: "That's a real shame. I use the store regularly." Advertisement The news comes as the motoring industry faces wider challenges, such as the imminent closure of a huge car dealership with over 91,000 vehicles currently on sale — putting over 100 jobs at risk. 'FACING THE RISK' The German online used car marketplace Heycar has suffered heavy losses since its launch in the UK in 2019, when it set out to rival Auto Trader and Motors. Now, its majority shareholder, Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS), has decided to pull the plug, leaving more than 126 employees across the UK, Germany, and France facing the risk of losing their jobs. A large proportion of Heycar's employees are based in the UK, and the company is expected to wind down its UK operations shortly after its closure in Germany, which is expected in mid-May. Advertisement A VWFS spokesperson confirmed, 'We expect we will have to let go of a large portion of Heycar's employees.' Despite the closure, VWFS is planning to carry forward Heycar's innovations. In a statement, VWFS UK said: 'Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS) UK is pleased to announce the launch of a new subsidiary that will integrate the technology and expertise developed by Heycar. 'Heycar has been a pioneer in the online used car marketplace and, despite the decision to wind down their operations, the valuable insights and digital solutions developed so far will play a crucial role in the future of VWFS UK, as we continue to explore new ways to drive growth and innovation in the automotive e-commerce space. Advertisement 'We are anticipating that specialists and resources from Heycar will be joining the new subsidiary, ensuring we have the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively utilise and develop the technology we're acquiring.' Volkswagen Financial Services was the company's largest shareholder, holding a 78 percent stake, followed by Volkswagen at 13 percent and Renault at 9 percent.
Scottish Sun
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Pioneering UK car dealership with over 90,000 motors to close in just WEEKS – throwing over 100 workers into limbo
The firm could close in a matter of weeks SCREECHING HALT Pioneering UK car dealership with over 90,000 motors to close in just WEEKS – throwing over 100 workers into limbo Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HUGE car dealership with over 91,000 vehicles currently on sale will close within weeks putting over 100 jobs at risk. The German online used car marketplace has made heavy losses since opening in the UK in 2019 when it looked to rival Auto Trader and Motors. 1 Heycar currently has over 91,000 motors for sale Credit: heycar Heycar's majority shareholder, Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS), have pulled the plug leaving more than 126 employees across the UK, Germany, and France at risk of losing their jobs. A large proportion of Heycar's employees are based in the UK. They are expected to close in the UK shortly after their closure in Germany, expected to be in mid-May. A VWFS spokesperson confirmed that they "expect we will have to let go of a large portion of Heycar's employees". However, VWFS did confirm its plans to launch a "new subsidiary" which they hoped would "integrate the technology developed by Heycar' into its wider business". They also said they were "considering whether some of the UK employees could be taken on by VWFS UK to further expand the user car business in the B2B sector". Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS) was originally the company's largest shareholder at 78 per cent followed by Volkswagen at 13 per cent and Renault at 9 per cent. According to its most recent accounts, Heycar made a loss of £30m in 2022 followed by a £22.4m loss in 2023. Its latest annual report also revealed a decrease of £7.4m in revenue for the firm. According to Car Dealer Magazine, some reports have indicated VWFS have invested more than £250m in Heycar since its launch. Heycar currently has over 91,000 cars up for sale on its website while market leader Auto Trader has 459,000 and Motors/Cazoo has 234,000. On the firm's website, it describes itself as 'the place to buy your next car the feel good way' and has been described by a VWFS spokesperson as a 'pioneer in the online used car marketplace'. It offered an alternative experience to customers by focusing on younger used cars in an attempt to shake up the used car advertising marketplace. Former CEO, Matt Moakes, previously said of Heycar: "Other online listings businesses are just digital version of newspaper ads. "That's not Heycar." He added: "We have features and products that improve the experience whether you're a dealer or a consumer, the latest of which includes our worry-free money back guarantee, and our new Concierge service which helps car buyers take the stress and inconvenience out of car ownership." Both Heycar and VWFS have been contacted for comment. The news of Heycar's closure comes as many car dealerships continue to go out of business. Why are so many car dealerships closing down? By Summer Raemason According to Business Rescue Expert there are multiple reasons why car dealerships are folding across the UK. The first major factor is rising online car sales which are beating in-person sales at dealerships. With an extensive range of comparison and second-hand sites to chose from, may car buyers don't even step foot into a dealership anymore. Secondly, the actual cost to physically run the sites has soared. Rent, wages and energy bills have all been increasing for roughly the past five years, putting many out of pocket. Car manufacturing across the globe was also hit by a semiconductor chip shortage in 2022 which made it difficult to produce new motors. The high demand with limited supply created a backlog, which although has eased, is still having an impact on the industry. A third reason for recent closures is the shift to electric cars. They are becoming more popular, given the Government initiative to be Net Zero in 2050. The industry is also affected when companies merge or are bought by rivals. This may lead to some independent names falling victim to the ongoing spate of closures. In February, BCA revealed the closure of its Banbury branch in Oxfordshire as hundreds lost their jobs. Last month, it was reported that a major Volkswagen dealership in Bromborough, Wirral closed down after the US firm which owned the branch, announced major cutbacks. A family run car dealership in Cambridgeshire, TC Harrison, is also set to close in the coming weeks to make way for a retirement village.
The Irish Sun
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Pioneering UK car dealership with over 90,000 motors to close in just WEEKS – throwing over 100 workers into limbo
A HUGE car dealership with over 91,000 vehicles currently on sale will close within weeks putting over 100 jobs at risk. The German online used car marketplace has made heavy losses since opening in the UK in 2019 when it looked to rival Auto Trader and Motors. 1 Heycar currently has over 91,000 motors for sale Credit: heycar Heycar's majority shareholder, Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS), have pulled the plug leaving more than 126 employees across the UK, Germany, and France at risk of losing their jobs. A large proportion of Heycar's employees are based in the UK. They are expected to close in the UK shortly after their closure in Germany, expected to be in mid-May. A VWFS spokesperson confirmed that they "expect we will have to let go of a large portion of Heycar's employees". Read more Motors News However, VWFS did confirm its plans to launch a "new subsidiary" which they hoped would "integrate the technology developed by Heycar' into its wider business". They also said they were "considering whether some of the UK employees could be taken on by VWFS UK to further expand the user car business in the B2B sector". Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS) was originally the company's largest shareholder at 78 per cent followed by Volkswagen at 13 per cent and Renault at 9 per cent. According to its most recent accounts, Heycar made a loss of £30m in 2022 followed by a £22.4m loss in 2023. Most read in Motors Its latest annual report also revealed a decrease of £7.4m in revenue for the firm. According to Heycar currently has over 91,000 cars up for sale on its website while market leader Auto Trader has 459,000 and Motors/Cazoo has 234,000. On the firm's website, it describes itself as 'the place to buy your next car the feel good way' and has been described by a VWFS spokesperson as a 'pioneer in the online used car marketplace'. It offered an alternative experience to customers by focusing on younger used cars in an attempt to shake up the used car advertising marketplace. Former CEO, Matt Moakes, previously said of Heycar: "Other online listings businesses are just digital version of newspaper ads. "That's not Heycar." He added: "We have features and products that improve the experience whether you're a dealer or a consumer, the latest of which includes our worry-free money back guarantee, and our new Concierge service which helps car buyers take the stress and inconvenience out of car ownership." Both Heycar and VWFS have been contacted for comment. The news of Heycar's closure comes as many car dealerships continue to go out of business. Why are so many car dealerships closing down? By Summer Raemason According to Business Rescue Expert there are multiple reasons why car dealerships are folding across the UK. The first major factor is rising online car sales which are beating in-person sales at dealerships. With an extensive range of comparison and second-hand sites to chose from, may car buyers don't even step foot into a dealership anymore. Secondly, the actual cost to physically run the sites has soared. Rent, wages and energy bills have all been increasing for roughly the past five years, putting many out of pocket. Car manufacturing across the globe was also hit by a semiconductor chip shortage in 2022 which made it difficult to produce new motors. The high demand with limited supply created a backlog, which although has eased, is still having an impact on the industry. A third reason for recent closures is the shift to electric cars. They are becoming more popular, given the Government initiative to be Net Zero in 2050. The industry is also affected when companies merge or are bought by rivals. This may lead to some independent names falling victim to the ongoing spate of closures. In February, Last month, A family run car dealership in Cambridgeshire, TC Harrison, is
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Pioneering UK car dealership with over 90,000 motors to close in just WEEKS – throwing over 100 workers into limbo
A HUGE car dealership with over 91,000 vehicles currently on sale will close within weeks putting over 100 jobs at risk. The German online used car marketplace has made heavy losses since opening in the UK in 2019 when it looked to rival Auto Trader and Motors. 1 Heycar's majority shareholder, Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS), have pulled the plug leaving more than 126 employees across the UK, Germany, and France at risk of losing their jobs. A large proportion of Heycar's employees are based in the UK. They are expected to close in the UK shortly after their closure in Germany, expected to be in mid-May. A VWFS spokesperson confirmed that they "expect we will have to let go of a large portion of Heycar's employees". However, VWFS did confirm its plans to launch a "new subsidiary" which they hoped would "integrate the technology developed by Heycar' into its wider business". They also said they were "considering whether some of the UK employees could be taken on by VWFS UK to further expand the user car business in the B2B sector". Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS) was originally the company's largest shareholder at 78 per cent followed by Volkswagen at 13 per cent and Renault at 9 per cent. According to its most recent accounts, Heycar made a loss of £30m in 2022 followed by a £22.4m loss in 2023. Its latest annual report also revealed a decrease of £7.4m in revenue for the firm. According to Car Dealer Magazine, some reports have indicated VWFS have invested more than £250m in Heycar since its launch. Heycar currently has over 91,000 cars up for sale on its website while market leader Auto Trader has 459,000 and Motors/Cazoo has 234,000. On the firm's website, it describes itself as 'the place to buy your next car the feel good way' and has been described by a VWFS spokesperson as a 'pioneer in the online used car marketplace'. It offered an alternative experience to customers by focusing on younger used cars in an attempt to shake up the used car advertising marketplace. Former CEO, Matt Moakes, previously said of Heycar: "Other online listings businesses are just digital version of newspaper ads. "That's not Heycar." He added: "We have features and products that improve the experience whether you're a dealer or a consumer, the latest of which includes our worry-free money back guarantee, and our new Concierge service which helps car buyers take the stress and inconvenience out of car ownership." Both Heycar and VWFS have been contacted for comment. Why are so many car dealerships closing down? By Summer Raemason According to Business Rescue Expert there are multiple reasons why car dealerships are folding across the UK. The first major factor is rising online car sales which are beating in-person sales at dealerships. With an extensive range of comparison and second-hand sites to chose from, may car buyers don't even step foot into a dealership anymore. Secondly, the actual cost to physically run the sites has soared. Rent, wages and energy bills have all been increasing for roughly the past five years, putting many out of pocket. Car manufacturing across the globe was also hit by a semiconductor chip shortage in 2022 which made it difficult to produce new motors. The high demand with limited supply created a backlog, which although has eased, is still having an impact on the industry. A third reason for recent closures is the shift to electric cars. They are becoming more popular, given the Government initiative to be Net Zero in 2050. The industry is also affected when companies merge or are bought by rivals. This may lead to some independent names falling victim to the ongoing spate of closures. In February, BCA revealed the closure of its Banbury branch in Oxfordshire as hundreds lost their jobs. Last month, it was reported that a major Volkswagen dealership in Bromborough, Wirral closed down after the US firm which owned the branch, announced major cutbacks. A family run car dealership in Cambridgeshire, TC Harrison, is also set to close in the coming weeks to make way for a retirement village.
